WO2022046108A1

WO2022046108A1 - Stylus pens for jog dial operation

Info

Publication number: WO2022046108A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/048763
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek Kyle Joseph KANAS; Tony Seokhwa MOON
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-08-31
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: TW202211008A

Abstract

Examples of electronic devices are described herein. In some examples, an electronic device includes an insertion region to receive a stylus pen having a jog dial located at an end of the stylus pen. In some examples, the electronic device includes a magnet located in proximity to the insertion region to position the stylus pen in a jog dial position in the insertion region. In some examples, the electronic device includes a controller to determine that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position and to perform a jog dial operation in response to receiving a jog dial signal from the stylus pen.

Description

STYLUS PENS FOR JOG DIAL OPERATION

BACKGROUND

[0001] Electronic technology has advanced to become virtually ubiquitous in society and has been used to improve many activities in society. For example, electronic devices are used to perform a variety of tasks, including work activities, communication, research, and entertainment. Different varieties of electronic circuits may be utilized to provide different varieties of electronic technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device and a stylus pen that may be utilized for jog dial operation;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stylus pen that may be utilized for jog dial operation;

[0005] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate examples of a stylus pen in different positions within the electronic device;

[0006] FIG. 4 is another example illustrating an electronic device and a stylus pen with a jog dial;

[0007] FIG. 5 is yet another example illustrating an electronic device and a stylus pen with a jog dial; and

[0008] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method 600 for jog dial operation. [0009] Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numbers may designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples in accordance with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] An electronic device may be a device that includes electronic circuitry. For instance, an electronic device may include integrated circuitry (e.g., transistors, digital logic, semiconductor technology, etc.). Examples of electronic devices include computing devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, smartphones, tablet devices, graphic tablets, multi-touch devices, wireless communication devices, game consoles, smart appliances, vehicles with electronic components, aircraft, drones, robots, smart appliances, etc.

[0011] In some examples, a stylus pen may be a device to provide input to the electronic device. For example, the stylus pen may have a pen-shaped end that interacts with a touch sensor (e.g., touchscreen, touchpad, etc.) of the electronic device. In some examples, a user may hold the stylus pen and may press the stylus pen upon a touch sensor of the electronic device to provide user input. In some examples, the stylus pen may also be referred to as a stylus, an active pen, a digital pen, etc.

[0012] In some examples, electronic devices may receive user input to enhance the productivity of the electronic devices. For example, a user may interact with an electronic device for media content generation (e.g., graphics and/or photo editing, word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, internet operations, medical imaging, etc.). In some approaches, the user input may be provided by way of an external dial accessory. In these approaches, the dial accessory may not be able to be stored within the electronic device, which may be inconvenient for the user and/or add complexity to a user’s working environment. In other approaches, the user input may be provided by a custom dial built into the body of an electronic device. In these approaches, the embedded dial accessory may be permanently exposed, which may result in unintended actuation of the dial accessory and/or may expose the dial accessory to damage if it gets bumped.

[0013] The examples of the electronic device described herein provide for a jog dial located on a stylus pen of the electronic device. These examples provide a removable stylus pen with jog dial that may be safely stored within the body of the electronic device. These examples also avoid the use of additional dial accessories, thus simplifying a user’s experience by reducing the number of devices used to provide user input to the electronic device.

[0014] In some examples of the electronic devices described herein, an electronic device may include an insertion region to receive a stylus pen. Examples of the insertion region include a cavity or hole located on the electronic device. The stylus pen may be inserted into the insertion region. For example, a user may insert a first end of the stylus pen into an opening of the insertion region. The user may then push the stylus pen into the insertion region. In some examples, the stylus pen may be contained within the insertion region.

[0015] In the examples described herein, the stylus pen may be used as a jog dial to interact with the electronic device. For example, the electronic device and/or the stylus pen may operate in different modes based on the location of the stylus pen in relation to the insertion region. In a first mode, (e.g., pen mode or detached mode) a user may hold the stylus pen to input text or perform other activities on the touch sensor (e.g., screen) of the electronic device.

[0016] The electronic device and/or stylus pen may activate a second mode (e.g., jog dial mode) when the stylus pen is partially inserted into the insertion region of the electronic device and a jog dial of the stylus pen (e.g., a tip of the stylus pen) is exposed for performing functions. For example, while in jog dial mode, the user may rotate the jog dial of the stylus pen to perform a jog dial operation (e.g., up and down scrolling, left/right scrolling, etc.).

[0017] In some examples, the electronic device and/or stylus pen may activate a third mode (e.g., hidden mode) when the stylus pen is fully inserted into the insertion region of the electronic device. For example, after using the jog dial mode, the user may want to store the stylus pen. In this example, the stylus pen may be contained inside the insertion region by pressing on the exposed end (e.g., the jog dial) of the stylus pen. In some examples, the stylus pen may be locked and stored inside the insertion region using a latch (e.g., a push/pull latch structure).

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device 102 and a stylus pen 104 that may be utilized for jog dial operation. Examples of the electronic device 102 may include computing devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, smartphones, tablet devices, graphic tablets, multi-touch devices, keyboards, wireless communication devices, game consoles, game controllers, smart appliances, vehicles with electronic components, aircraft, drones, robots, smart appliances, etc. The electronic device 102 may include a controller 110. In some examples, the electronic device 102 (e.g., controller 110) and/or stylus pen 104 may perform one, some, or all of the functions, operations, elements, procedures, etc., described in one, some, or all of FIGs. 1-6.

[0019] In some examples, the controller 110 (also referred to as a processor) may be any of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or other hardware device suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in memory. The processor may fetch, decode, and/or execute instructions stored in memory.

[0020] The memory may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores electronic information (e.g., instructions and/or data). Thus, the memory may be, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM), phase change RAM (PCRAM), memristor, flash memory, a storage device, and/or an optical disc, etc. In some examples, the memory may be a non-transitory tangible machine- readable storage medium, where the term “non-transitory” does not encompass transitory propagating signals. The controller 110 may be in electronic communication with the memory.

[0021] In some examples, the controller 110 may be combined with or separate from an applications processor (e.g., CPU) of the electronic device 102. In some examples, the controller 110 may be an embedded controller.

[0022] The controller 110 may include circuitry (e.g., integrated circuitry, semiconductor circuitry, electronic component(s), etc.). For example, the controller 110 may include digital logic circuitry (e.g., a controller processor), transistors, memory, etc. In some examples, the controller 110 may execute instructions and/or code to perform a jog dial operation 116. Some examples of the jog dial operation 116 will be described below. In some examples, the controller 110 may control an aspect or aspects of operation of the electronic device 102. For example, the controller 110 may interpret a jog dial signal 114 received from the stylus pen 104.

[0023] The stylus pen 104 may be used to interact with the electronic device 102. For example, in a first mode (e.g., pen mode or detached mode), the stylus pen 104 may be used to provide a touch input to a touch sensor (e.g., touchscreen) of the electronic device 102.

[0024] In some examples, the stylus pen 104 may include a jog dial 112. The jog dial 112 may be a structure (e.g., dial, knob, ring, wheel, etc.) located at one end of the stylus pen 104. The jog dial 112 may rotate about an axis of the stylus pen 104. In some examples, the jog dial 112 may rotate freely. In other examples, the rotation of the jog dial 112 may be restricted to a certain amount of rotation.

[0025] The stylus pen 104 may generate a jog dial signal 114 based on rotation of the jog dial 112. For example, the stylus pen 104 may include a sensor (e.g., an encoder) to detect rotation of the jog dial 112 and to generate a jog dial signal 114 based on the rotation of the jog dial 112.

[0026] In some examples, the stylus pen 104 may communicate the jog dial signal 114 to the electronic device 102 using a wireless transmission. For example, the stylus pen 104 may include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver (e.g., a transceiver) for transmitting wireless signals to the electronic device 102. Some examples of wireless communication that may be used by the electronic device 102 and/or stylus pen 104 include Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, inductive communication (e.g., near-field communication (NFC)) or other electromagnetic communication technology. In some examples, the electronic device 102 may include a receiver (not shown) to receive the jog dial signal 114. In some examples, the electronic device 102 and/or the stylus pen 104 may include or may be coupled to an antenna to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

[0027] In some examples, the stylus pen 104 may communicate the jog dial signal 114 to the electronic device 102 using a wired transmission. For example, the stylus pen 104 may include a contact structure (e.g., a contact pad or multiple contact pads) to interface with a contact structure of the electronic device 102. When the stylus pen 104 is inserted into the insertion region 106, the contact structures of the electronic device 102 and the stylus pen 104 may be electronically coupled to form a wired connection. The stylus pen 104 may communicate the jog dial signal 114 to the electronic device 102 over this wired connection. In some examples, the stylus pen 104 may receive power from the electronic device 102 via the contact structure.

[0028] In some examples, the stylus pen 104 may be inserted into the electronic device 102. In some examples, the electronic device 102 may include an insertion region 106 to receive the stylus pen 104. Some examples of the insertion region 106 include a hole or cavity sized to receive the stylus pen 104. In some examples, the insertion region 106 may have a profile (e.g., cross section) matching the profile of the stylus pen 104. For example, if the stylus pen 104 has a circular profile, then the profile of the insertion region 106 may be circular. In other examples, the profile of the insertion region 106 may have other shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, etc.) to match the profile of the stylus pen 104.

[0029] In some examples, the insertion region 106 may have a depth that permits the stylus pen 104 to be fully inserted into the insertion region 106. For example, the stylus pen 104 may be pressed into the insertion region 106 such that the stylus pen 104 is completely housed within the insertion region 106. The electronic device 102 may include additional structures to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the stylus pen 104 into or out of the insertion region 106. For example, a spring (not shown) may be located at the end of the insertion region 106 to press the stylus pen 104 out of the insertion region 106. In another example, a latch (not shown) may hold the stylus pen 104 within the insertion region 106. Some examples of a spring and latch that may be used to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the stylus pen 104 are described in FIGS. 3A- 3C.

[0030] The stylus pen 104 may be inserted into a jog dial position within the insertion region 106. For example, when the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position, the stylus pen 104 may be positioned in the insertion region 106 such that the jog dial 112 is exposed outside the electronic device 102. In some examples, when the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position, the jog dial 112 may be accessible for a user to rotate, but the body of the stylus pen 104 may be housed within the insertion region 106.

[0031] In some examples, the electronic device 102 may include a magnet 108 located in proximity to the insertion region 106. For example, the magnet 108 may be located at a surface of the insertion region 106. In another example, the magnet 108 may be located behind a surface of the insertion region 106. In some examples, the electronic device 102 may include multiple magnets to perform the functionality of the magnet 108 described herein.

[0032] The magnet 108 may position the stylus pen 104 in the jog dial position in the insertion region 106. For example, the magnet 108 may interact with a magnet (not shown) of the stylus pen 104. The magnet 108 may cause the stylus pen 104 to align within the insertion region 106 such that the jog dial 112 projects from the electronic device 102. Therefore, the stylus pen 104 may partially extend out of the insertion region 106 in the jog dial position.

[0033] In some examples, the magnet 108 may hold a body portion of the stylus pen 104 stationary in the jog dial position. For example, the magnet 108 may restrict rotation of the body portion of the stylus pen 104 when the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. It should be noted that while the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position, the jog dial 112 may rotate. [0034] The controller 110 of the electronic device 102 may determine that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. For example, the electronic device 102 may include a sensor (not shown) to detect that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. In an example, the electronic device 102 may include a Hall effect sensor to detect the magnetic field of a magnet located within the stylus pen 104. The Hall effect sensor may provide a signal to the controller 110, which interprets the Hall effect sensor signal to determine whether the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position or another position (e.g., fully inserted or removed from the electronic device 102).

[0035] In another example, the electronic device 102 may include a contact switch to determine whether the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. For example, the stylus pen 104 may press the contact switch when the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position.

[0036] In yet another example, the stylus pen 104 may form an electrical connection with the electronic device 102 while in the jog dial position. For instance, contact surfaces of the electronic device 102 and the stylus pen 104 may close an electrical circuit when the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. The controller 110 may detect this closed circuit to determine that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position.

[0037] In an example, the stylus pen 104 may be inserted into the insertion region 106 until the stylus pen 104 reaches the jog dial position. Once the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position, an additional press on the stylus pen 104 may lock the stylus pen 104 inside the electronic device 102. With another press on the back cap (e.g., the back surface of the jog dial 112), the stylus pen 104 may be ejected out to the jog dial position. The user may then pull the stylus pen 104 from the electronic device 102.

[0038] In some examples, the insertion region 106 may be positioned on the electronic device 102 to place the jog dial 112 in a location to supplement other input devices. For example, if the electronic device 102 is a laptop computer, the insertion region 106 may be located on a left side of the electronic device 102 to supplement input by a mouse. In this manner, a user may simultaneously use both hands to control the electronic device 102 using the mouse and the jog dial 112.

[0039] The electronic device 102 may switch from a first operation mode to a jog dial mode in response to determining that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. For example, the electronic device 102 may be in a detached mode when the stylus pen 104 is detached from the electronic device 102. While in the detached mode, certain functionality may be implemented by the electronic device 102. For instance, the electronic device 102 may enable and/or disable a first set of circuitry and/or executable instruction when the electronic device 102 is in the detached mode. The electronic device 102 may switch from the detached mode to the jog dial mode upon determining that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. The electronic device 102 may enable and/or disable a second set of circuitry and/or executable instruction when the electronic device 102 is in the jog dial position. In yet another example, the electronic device 102 may transition from a hidden mode to the jog dial mode.

[0040] The controller 110 may perform a jog dial operation 116 in response to receiving a jog dial signal 114 from the stylus pen 104 while the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. For example, the jog dial 112 may be used to interact with programs, interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces (GUIs)) and/or displays of the electronic device 102. In some examples, the jog dial 112 may be used to enhance the productivity of multimedia content creators and/or studio users. Some examples of applications that may use input from the jog dial 112 include graphics editing (e.g., photo editing, video editing), word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, internet operations (e.g., scrolling within a web browser), medical imaging, etc.

[0041] An example of a jog dial operation 116 includes scrolling within a GUI. For example, a user may scroll up and down within a web browser or word processor document.

[0042] Another example of a jog dial operation 116 includes dialing through different tool options. For example, in a photo editor, a user may select different tools, settings and/or values based on the rotation of the jog dial 112. Other examples of a jog dial operation 116 include controlling music playback (e.g., start, stop, pause, skip, etc.) or changing the state of a user’s online status (e.g., available, away, etc.).

[0043] In some examples, the controller 110 may be programmed to implement a certain jog dial operation 116 when the stylus pen 104 is placed in the jog dial position. For instance, a certain program and/or interface may be started (e.g., automatically launched) upon determining that the stylus pen 104 is placed in the jog dial position. For example, when the stylus pen 104 is inserted into the electronic device 102, the jog dial operation 116 may be activated to start working with a programmed application.

[0044] In some examples, the functionality of the jog dial 112 may be augmented by actuating various combinations of buttons on the electronic device 102. For example, the controller 110 may perform a first jog dial operation 116 when no buttons are pressed. The controller 110 may perform a second jog dial operation 116 when the shift key is pressed, and so forth.

[0045] In some examples, the controller 110 may vary how the jog dial signal 114 is interpreted based on whether the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. For example, the controller 110 may perform a first jog dial operation 116 in response to receiving a jog dial signal 114 while the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. The controller 110 may perform a second jog dial operation 116 in response to receiving a jog dial signal 114 while the stylus pen 104 is in the detached position.

[0046] In another example, the jog dial 112 may be used to control settings and/or functions of the electronic device 102 when the electronic device 102 is in a closed mode. For example, the electronic device 102 may be a laptop computer having a closable display cover (e.g., lid). In the case that the display cover is closed, the stylus pen 104 may be placed in the jog dial position. The jog dial 112 may then be used to control the laptop computer without opening the display cover. For instance, the jog dial 112 may be used for media controls (e.g., when playing music) with the laptop computer closed. Some examples of media settings that may be controlled by the jog dial 112 include play, pause, skip and/or volume adjustment. [0047] In another example, the jog dial 112 may be used to control a secondary display that is on the outside of the display cover. For example, when the lid of a laptop computer is closed, the jog dial 112 may be used to provide input to interact with a secondary display located on the outside of the display cover.

[0048] In some examples, the electronic device 102 may include additional components and/or some of the components described herein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the electronic device 102 may include an input/output interface (not shown) through which the electronic device 102 may communicate with an external device (e.g., the stylus pen 104). The input/output interface may include hardware and/or machine-readable instructions to enable the controller 110 to communicate with the external device or devices. The input/output interface may enable a wired or wireless connection to the external device or devices. In some examples, the input/output interface may further include a network interface card and/or may also include hardware and/or machine-readable instructions to enable the processor to communicate with various input and/or output devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, another apparatus, electronic device, computing device, etc., through which a user may input instructions and/or indications into the electronic device 102.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stylus pen 204 that may be utilized for jog dial operation. The stylus pen 204 of FIG. 2 may be an example of the stylus pen 104 as described in FIG. 1 .

[0050] The stylus pen 204 may include a body portion 218. The body portion 218 may include a first end 220 that is to be inserted into an insertion region of an electronic device. In some examples, the first end 220 may be tapered to form a point. For example, the first end 220 may be used to contact a touch sensor of an electronic device.

[0051] The stylus pen 204 may have a jog dial 212 located at a second end 222 of the body portion 218 of the stylus pen 204. The jog dial 212 may rotate about an axis of the stylus pen 204 to generate a jog dial signal. [0052] In some examples, the jog dial 212 may include button-press functionality. For example, the jog dial 212 may be pressed to actuate a signal. In some examples, the jog-dial-press signal may be used to activate functions on the stylus pen 204 (e.g., turn wireless communication on/off, turn stylus pen power on/off, etc.). In some examples, the jog-dial-press signal may be communicated to an electronic device as a jog dial signal. This jog-dial-press signal may be interpreted by the electronic device to perform a jog dial operation (e.g., select an object, confirm a setting, etc.). The jog-dial-press signal may be differentiated from a jog-dial-rotation signal generated in response to rotation of the jog dial 212.

[0053] In some examples, the stylus pen 204 may include a magnet 226 to position the stylus pen 204 in a jog dial position in an electronic device. For example, when the stylus pen 204 is inserted into the insertion region of the electronic device, the magnet 226 may interact with a magnet (e.g., magnet 108 in FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device located in proximity to the insertion region. The magnet 226 of the stylus pen 204 may align with the magnet of the electronic device to position the stylus pen 204 in the jog dial position. This magnetic lock may further resist rotation of the body portion 218 within the insertion region while the jog dial 212 rotates. In other examples, the stylus pen 204 may include multiple magnets to implement the functionality of the magnet 226. For example, multiple magnets of the stylus pen may align with multiple magnets of the electronic device while the stylus pen is in the jog dial position.

[0054] In some examples, the stylus pen 204 may include a controller 224. The controller 224 may be any of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or other hardware device suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in memory. The processor may fetch, decode, and/or execute instructions stored in memory.

[0055] The controller 224 may determine that the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. In some examples, the controller 224 may receive a signal that indicates whether the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. In some examples, the stylus pen 204 may include a sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor, contact sensor, etc.) to generate a signal that indicates whether the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. In another example, the controller 224 may receive a signal from the electronic device that indicates whether the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. For instance, the electronic device may transmit a signal to the stylus pen 204 upon determining that the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position.

[0056] The controller 224 may generate a jog dial signal in response to actuation of the jog dial 212. For example, the controller 224 may receive a signal from the jog dial 212 in response to actuation (e.g., rotation, jog-dial press, etc.). The controller 224 may interpret the signal from the jog dial 212 to generate a jog dial signal that is to be transmitted to the electronic device.

[0057] In some examples, the stylus pen 204 may include a wireless transmitter 228. For example, the stylus pen 204 may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., transmitter and receiver) and an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to/from the electronic device 102. Some examples of wireless communication that may be used by the wireless transmitter 228 include Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, inductive communication (e.g., near-field communication (NFC)) or other electromagnetic communication technology.

[0058] In some examples, the controller 224 may switch the mode of operation of the stylus pen 204 based on the position of the stylus pen 204 in relation to the electronic device. For example, the controller 224 may cause the stylus pen 204 to enter a jog dial mode when the controller 224 determines that the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. While in the jog dial mode, the controller 224 may cause certain circuitry (e.g., the jog dial circuitry, wireless transmitter 228) within the stylus pen 204 to be active. In some examples, while in the jog dial mode, the controller 224 may cause certain circuitry to be inactive. For instance, some components (e.g., buttons, sensors, etc.) of the stylus pen 204 may be disabled while the stylus pen 204 is in the jog dial position. In this case, the controller 224 may disable these components to conserve power and/or prevent inadvertent actuation of the unused components.

[0059] In some examples, the controller 224 may determine that the stylus pen 204 has moved from the jog dial position to a second position. For example, the controller 224 may receive a signal that the stylus pen 204 has moved to a hidden position or a detached position. The controller 224 may switch from the jog dial mode to a second mode in response to determining that the stylus pen 204 is in the second position. For example, in the case that the stylus pen 204 moves to the hidden position, the controller 224 may cause the stylus pen 204 to enter a hidden mode. In the hidden mode, the controller 224 may disable components of the stylus pen 204 that are not used while the stylus pen 204 is located within the electronic device. For instance, the controller 224 may disable the wireless transmitter 228, the jog dial 212 and/or other components (e.g., buttons, sensors, etc.) that are not used while the stylus pen 204 is fully inserted into the insertion region of the electronic device.

[0060] In the case that the stylus pen 204 moves from the jog dial position to the detached position, the controller 224 may cause the stylus pen 204 to enter a detached mode. In this case, the controller 224 may enable components that are used while the stylus pen 204 is detached from the electronic device. For instance, the controller 224 may activate the wireless transmitter 228, the jog dial 212 and/or other components (e.g., buttons, sensors, etc.) that are used while the stylus pen 204 is fully detached from the electronic device.

[0061] In some examples, the stylus pen 204 may include a power source 225. The power source 225 may provide electrical power to other components of the stylus pen 204 (e.g., the controller 224, the jog dial 212, sensors, etc.). In an example, the power source 225 may be a battery. In another example, the power source 225 may be a contact structure that receives power from the electronic device while the stylus pen 204 is inserted into the electronic device.

[0062] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate examples of a stylus pen 304 in different positions within an electronic device 302. In FIG. 3A, the stylus pen 304 is in the detached position 330. For example, the first end of the stylus pen 304 (opposite the jog dial 312) may be inserted into the opening of an insertion region 306. For example, an insertion force 344 may be applied to the stylus pen 304 to move the stylus pen 304 into the insertion region 306.

[0063] In this example, the stylus pen 304 includes a stylus pen magnet 326. It should be noted that while the stylus pen 304 is in the detached position 330, the stylus pen magnet 326 is not aligned with an electronic device magnet 308. Therefore, the stylus pen 304 may move freely in or out of the insertion region 306 or may be completely removed from the insertion region 306.

[0064] In some examples, the electronic device 302 may include a spring 338 located at the end opposite the opening of the insertion region 306. It should be noted that in this example, the stylus pen 304 does not contact the spring 338 while the stylus pen 304 is in the detached position 330.

[0065] In some examples, the electronic device 302 may include a latch 340 to hold the stylus pen 304 in a hidden position 336. In some examples, the latch 340 may be a push-pull latch. In this example, the stylus pen 304 may include a latch receiver 342 to interface with the latch. In some examples, the latch receiver 342 may be a notch on the surface of the stylus pen 304 to catch the latch 340. It should be noted that in this example, the latch receiver 342 of the stylus pen 304 does not contact the latch 340 while the stylus pen 304 is in the detached position 330.

[0066] In FIG. 3B, the stylus pen 304 is in the jog dial position 334. It should be noted that when the stylus pen 304 is in the jog dial position 334, the stylus pen magnet 326 aligns with the electronic device magnet 308. The stylus pen magnet 326 and the electronic device magnet 308 may exert a magnetic force that holds (e.g., locks) the stylus pen 304 in the jog dial position 334. Therefore, the combination of the stylus pen magnet 326 and the electronic device magnet 308 may form a magnetic lock. The magnetic force of the stylus pen magnet 326 and the electronic device magnet 308 may hold the stylus pen 304 in the jog dial position 334 unless an insertion force 344 pushes the stylus pen 304 further into the electronic device 302 or a removal force is applied to pull the stylus pen 304 out of the jog dial position 334.

[0067] It should be noted that while the stylus pen 304 is in the jog dial position 334, the jog dial 312 may project out of the electronic device 302. Therefore, the jog dial 312 is accessible for actuation (e.g., rotation, jog-dial press, etc.) by a user. The user may also grab the jog dial 312 to pull the stylus pen 304 out of the electronic device 302. [0068] It should also be noted that in some examples, the stylus pen 304 may engage the spring 338 at the jog dial position 334. The spring 338 may be sized and located to exert a force on the stylus pen 304 that causes the stylus pen 304 to move to the jog dial position 334. Therefore, the spring 338 may position the stylus pen 304 in the jog dial position 334 in conjunction with the stylus pen magnet 326 interacting with the electronic device magnet 308. In an example, the spring 338 may be a compression spring that begins to be compressed by the stylus pen 304 at the jog dial position 334. In this example the spring 338 may be fully extended when the stylus pen 304 is in the jog dial position 334. It should be further noted that in this example, the latch 340 has not engaged the stylus pen 304 in the jog dial position 334.

[0069] In FIG. 3C, the stylus pen 304 is in a hidden position 336. In some examples, when the stylus pen 304 is pushed (e.g., by an insertion force 344) from the jog dial position 334, the latch 340 may hook onto the latch receiver 342 to hold the stylus pen 304 in the hidden position 336. The latch 340 may lock onto the stylus pen 304 when the stylus pen 304 is pushed to engage the latch 340. The latch 340 may then release the stylus pen 304 when a force 344 is applied to the stylus pen 304.

[0070] It should be noted that when the stylus pen 304 is in the hidden position 336, the jog dial 312 may be located within the insertion region 306 of the electronic device 302. Furthermore, when the stylus pen 304 is in the hidden position 336, the stylus pen magnet 326 may not align with the electronic device magnet 308.

[0071] In this example, the spring 338 may exert a force on the stylus pen 304 while the stylus pen 304 is in the hidden position 336. The spring force (combined with the magnetic force of the stylus pen magnet 326 and the electronic device magnet 308) may cause the stylus pen 304 to return to the jog dial position 334. For example, when the stylus pen 304 is pressed (e.g., by an insertion force 344) while in the hidden position 336, the latch 340 may release the stylus pen 304 to return to the jog dial position 334. [0072] FIG. 4 is another example illustrating an electronic device 402 and a stylus pen 404 with a jog dial 412. In this example, the electronic device 402 is a laptop computer having a hinged display cover.

[0073] The stylus pen 404 is shown in a detached position. In some examples, the jog dial 412 may be used to perform operations while the stylus pen 404 is detached from the electronic device 402. For example, the stylus pen 404 may send a jog dial signal to the electronic device 402 using wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, etc.). In some examples, the jog dial 412 may be pressed and/or held for a period of time to activate or deactivate wireless communication by the stylus pen 404.

[0074] In this example, the electronic device 402 includes an insertion region 406 located on a left portion of the electronic device 402. The insertion region 406 may be sized to receive the stylus pen 404. For example, the end of the stylus pen 404 opposite the jog dial 412 may be inserted into the insertion region 406.

[0075] FIG. 5 is yet another example illustrating an electronic device 502 and a stylus pen 504 with a jog dial 512. The electronic device 502 may be a laptop computer, as described in FIG. 4.

[0076] In Example-A 501 a of FIG. 5, the stylus pen 504 is in a hidden position within the electronic device 502. The stylus pen 504 may be held in the hidden position using a latch, as described in FIGS. 3A-3C. It should be noted that the sides of the jog dial 512 may be concealed within the insertion region 506 of the electronic device 502 while the stylus pen 504 is in the hidden position. In some examples, the back surface of the jog dial 512 (referred to as a back cap) may be exposed while the stylus pen 504 is in the hidden position. The back cap may provide a surface to apply a force to remove the stylus pen 504 from the insertion region 506. For example, a user may press against the back cap of the stylus pen 504 to release the stylus pen 504 from the hidden position. This may be accomplished as described in FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0077] In Example-B 501 b of FIG. 5, the stylus pen 504 is in a jog dial position within the electronic device 502. While in the jog dial position, the body of the stylus pen 504 may remain within the insertion region 506, but the jog dial 512 may project from the insertion region 506. In an example, the stylus pen 504 may travel from the hidden position of Example-A 501 a to the jog dial position of Example-B 501 b in response to a force being exerted on the back cap. This force may cause a latch to release the stylus pen 504. A spring (not shown) may push the stylus pen 504 into the jog dial position. An example of the lateral movement 546 of the stylus pen 504 within the insertion region 506 is depicted in Example-B 501 b of FIG. 5.

[0078] In this example, the jog dial 512 may be actuated with a rotational motion 548. In other examples, the jog dial 512 may be actuated with a lateral press on the back cap.

[0079] In some examples, a jog dial function can be activated by the electronic device 502 when the stylus pen 504 is positioned in the jog dial position. For example, the electronic device 502 may start a programmed (e.g., configured) application when the stylus pen 504 is in the jog dial position.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method 600 for jog dial operation. For instance, the method 600 may provide a jog dial signal from a stylus pen to an electronic device. The method 600 and/or an element or elements of the method 600 may be performed by an electronic device. For example, an element or elements of the method 600 may be performed by the electronic device 102 described in FIG. 1 , the controller 110 described in FIG. 1 , the electronic device described in FIG. 2, the electronic device 302 described in FIGS. 3A-3C, the electronic device 402 described in FIG. 4, and/or the electronic device 502 described in FIG. 5, any of which may be referred to generally as an “electronic device” in FIG. 6. In some examples, the method 600 may be performed by an embedded controller. In some examples, the method 600 may be performed by a processor of the electronic device.

[0081] An electronic device may receive 602 a stylus pen in an insertion region of the electronic device. The stylus pen may have a jog dial located at an end of the stylus pen. In some examples, the insertion region may be sized to retain the stylus pen while allowing lateral movement of the stylus pen into and out of the insertion region. [0082] The electronic device may position 604 the stylus pen in a jog dial position in the insertion region with a magnet located in proximity to the insertion region. For example, the electronic device magnet may interact with a stylus pen magnet. The magnet of the stylus pen may align with the magnet of the electronic device. The magnetic force between the electronic device magnet and the stylus pen magnet may hold the stylus pen in the jog dial position. In some examples, the stylus pen may partially extend out of the insertion region while in the jog dial position. The jog dial may be exposed outside the electronic device when the stylus pen is in the jog dial position. In some examples, the electronic device magnet may hold a body portion of the stylus pen stationary in the jog dial position. For example, the electronic device magnet may restrict rotation and/or lateral movement of the body portion of the stylus pen in the jog dial position.

[0083] In some examples, the electronic device may include a spring located within the insertion region. The spring may position 604 the stylus pen in the jog dial position in conjunction with the electronic device magnet.

[0084] The electronic device may determine 606 that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position. For example, the electronic device 102 may include a sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor, contact switch) to detect that the stylus pen 104 is in the jog dial position. In some examples, the electronic device may switch from a first operation mode (e.g., a detached mode or hidden mode) to a jog dial mode in response to determining 606 that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position.

[0085] The electronic device may perform 608 a jog dial operation in response to receiving a jog dial signal from the stylus pen. For example, while the stylus pen is in the jog dial position, the electronic device may receive a jog dial signal. In some examples, the jog dial signal may include a wireless transmission sent from the stylus pen in response to rotation of the jog dial.

[0086] As used herein, the term “and/or” may mean an item or items. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” may mean any of: A (without B and C), B (without A and C), C (without A and B), A and B (but not C), B and C (but not A), A and C (but not B), or all of A, B, and C. [0087] While various examples are described herein, the disclosure is not limited to the examples. Variations of the examples described herein may be within the scope of the disclosure. For example, operations, functions, aspects, or elements of the examples described herein may be omitted or combined.

Claims

1 . A electronic device, comprising: an insertion region to receive a stylus pen having a jog dial located at an end of the stylus pen; a magnet located in proximity to the insertion region to position the stylus pen in a jog dial position in the insertion region; and a controller to determine that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position and to perform a jog dial operation in response to receiving a jog dial signal from the stylus pen.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the stylus pen partially extends out of the insertion region in the jog dial position.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the jog dial is exposed outside the electronic device when the stylus pen is in the jog dial position.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is to hold a body portion of the stylus pen stationary in the jog dial position.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the magnet to restrict rotation of the body portion of the stylus pen in the jog dial position.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor to determine that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a spring located within the insertion region, the spring to position the stylus pen in the jog dial position in conjunction with the magnet.

8. A method, comprising: receiving a stylus pen in an insertion region of an electronic device, the stylus pen having a jog dial located at an end of the stylus pen; positioning the stylus pen in a jog dial position in the insertion region with a magnet located in proximity to the insertion region; determining that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position; and performing a jog dial operation in response to receiving a jog dial signal from the stylus pen.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising switching from a first operation mode to a jog dial mode in response to determining that the stylus pen is in the jog dial position.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the jog dial signal comprises a wireless transmission sent from the stylus pen in response to rotation of the jog dial.

1 1. A stylus pen, comprising: a body portion having a first end to be inserted into an insertion region of an electronic device; a jog dial located at a second end of the body portion of the stylus pen; and a controller to determine that the stylus pen is in a jog dial position and to generate a jog dial signal in response to actuation of the jog dial.

12. The stylus pen of claim 1 1 , further comprising a magnet to position the stylus pen in a jog dial position in the insertion region of the electronic device.

13. The stylus pen of claim 12, wherein the magnet of the stylus pen aligns with a magnet of the electronic device located in proximity to the insertion region.

14. The stylus pen of claim 1 1 , further comprising a wireless transmitter to transmit the jog dial signal to the electronic device. The stylus pen of claim 11 , wherein the controller is to: determine that the stylus pen moved from the jog dial position to a second position; and switch from a jog dial mode to a second mode in response to determining that the stylus pen is in the second position.